Welcome to Corto
Corto, nestled in Jersey City, embodies a passion for authentic, heartfelt cuisine. Its name, meaning "short" in Italian, reflects a thoughtfully curated menu that celebrates simplicity and quality. Signature dishes like the Angry Chicken and rich pastas showcase meticulously sourced ingredients, offering layered flavors and inviting textures. Guests rave about the warm ambiance and attentive service, enhancing the dining experience. Each plate tells a story of culinary creativity, from the vibrancy of roasted vegetables to the luscious Ricotta & Honey Toast. Corto invites you to savor meals that nourish not just the body, but the spirit, making every visit a memorable occasion.
- 507 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307, United States Hotline:
Welcome to Corto, a delightful culinary gem nestled in the heart of Jersey City at 507 Palisade Ave. With a name meaning "short" in Italian, this cozy eatery encapsulates the essence of simple yet vibrant dining. Corto prides itself on a carefully curated menu that shines a light on fresh, seasonal ingredients while celebrating the art of flavor pairing.
Corto offers a variety of dishes that appeal to both the adventurous palate and those seeking familiar comforts. Each plate tells a story, expertly crafted with love and intention:
- Appetizers: Indulge in the Ricotta & Honey Toast, where creamy ricotta meets wildflower honey, creating a sweet and savory experience that has patrons raving. Or try the Broccoli Rabe, steamed and charred to perfection, laced with Italian long hots, bringing a touch of spice to your culinary journey.
- Pasta: The menu shines with options like the Rigatoni Bianco di Napoli, featuring pancetta and Calabrian chili, which balances rich flavors with a hint of heat. The Triangoli offers a unique twist with its mushroom filling, providing earthiness in every bite.
- Main Dishes: For the main event, don’t miss the Angry Chicken, renowned for its tender meat infused with rich tomato and guanciale, making it a crowd favorite. The Whole Red Snapper, complemented by local mushrooms and salsa verde, is perfect for seafood lovers seeking elegance on their plate.
- Dessert: As your meal winds down, the local blueberry ricotta cheesecake is a must-try, ensuring a sweet end to your experience at Corto.
The ambiance at Corto enhances your dining experience. With soft music and strategic sound dampening, the atmosphere remains inviting and vibrant without overwhelming noise. Patrons frequently commend the staff for their warmth and attentiveness, contributing to a communal dining feel.
Customer reviews highlight the restaurant's dedication to quality. Visitors rave about the generous portions and the thoughtful composition of flavors. Reviewers emphasize that every dish is executed with precision, creating a balance of comfort and creativity.
Whether you're out to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or simply seeking a flavorful meal with friends, Corto promises to deliver. With its BYOB policy and a wine shop just a stone's throw away, you're encouraged to pair your meal with a favorite bottle or explore new flavors.
At Corto, it's not just about food; it’s about creating memorable experiences through culinary artistry. Join the growing community of fans who keep returning for the comfort of great meals that nourish the body and soul. Your next great meal awaits at Corto!

We had a party of 8 for their prix fixe menu to celebrate our one year olds birthday. Great value since they had generous portions. Favorite dishes that I’ll definitely get again were the olive oil cake, the angry chicken, Ricotta and honey toast, and strozzapreti. Ambiance is really nice, nice sound dampening elements around the room keeping it from getting too loud. Music is low and chill. Server was fantastic as well!

The food was amazing! The service was also excellent, definitely recommend the Honey Ricotta Toast, the blueberry ricotta cheesecake, the Pesto pasta and the one with the red sauce…forgot the name but I think it has panchetta in it? Just order it!

Finally got to eat dinner at Corto and it did not disappoint. Absolutely delicious pasta dishes that were inventive while still maintaining authenticity. I can’t wait to go back. BYOB- wine shop right around the corner.

I make it a point to only write either extremely positive or extremely negative reviews, whether I have to highlight a true gem, or show people where to stay away. Today, we surpass a true gem. I came here at around 8pm on a Thursday, and they were packed, even though I had no reservation, we quickly got seated. The first sign of greatness was the server, she was absolutely amazing, so kind and helpful and truly made the entire dinner better. Then the appetizers, the ricotta toast and broccoli rabe were more than outstanding, and I not only recommend, but encourage you get them. Next was the pasta, although my only critique was it was a bit to Al dente for me, the cashew bechamel tasted completely identical to a cheese one, and shocked the table. And finally the main, the angry chicken, although it was not at all what I was expecting it to look like, it tasted absolutely incredible and was textbook fall off the bone. Thank you Corto for the experience

It’s the exact kind of place you want to go to get a really really good and heartfelt meal where all the ingredients are special and fresh, and every dish is made from scratch with careful thought and preparation. Simple yet complex, familiar yet nuanced, the menu is short or “corto” like the restaurant name. And though it’s one page, it’s really hard to decide what to get because everything is a winner. We tried the Rigatoni, Strozzapreti, and Angry Chicken. Each dish was pleasantly balanced flavor-wise and texture-wise. The Rigatoni has a delightful mint twist, the Strozzapreti was unbelievable (never had anything like it) and the Angry Chicken is probably the most tender chicken I’ve had at a restaurant, with the perfect spicy kick. This rustic gem has an energy and a personality of quality and nourishment for the body, mind and soul. We felt so good after eating this beautiful food. The ingredients had to be top quality and I could feel they were highly bioavailable because i felt full but light afterwards without the digestive discomfort that comes with most dining experiences where restaurants only care about profit. Not Corto. Corto cares about quality and nourishment. Everyone working there was incredibly passionate and proud of the restaurant’s menu and ethos. This was a very special meal and I hope you experience the joy of dining there someday soon. BYOB if you’re drinking, otherwise they have some very pleasant nonalcoholic beverages on the menu.

Corto is our go to spot for a guaranteed good meal. I hate to say it, I love Jersey City, but there are not many restaurants that serve great food. Although Corto’s menu isn’t extensive, and there are minimal updates, the staple items are great and most new auditions are hits.

Incredible atmosphere. Food was all great. Got the brócoli rabe, the ricotta honey toast, the rigatoni, and campanelle! 10/10. BYOB too nice vibe. Bring some wine

Our friends had been telling us about Corto for a long time now and we finally got to go with them this past weekend for lunch on Sunday and it not only lived up to the hype but also exceeded it! It’s a great place to go and share meals, where everyone can try a little bit of everything. We practically ordered the whole menu. The tomato soup was one of the best I’ve ever had and the seasonal squash with prosciutto was delicious. Everything is so fresh and used such unique combinations of flavors that are so well executed. The rigatoni is a classic staple you can’t go wrong with. The pistachio spaghetti had a hint of citrus served with the Italian sausage but was overall nutty so you gotta be into that. The favorite pasta was the truffle strozzapretti by far, I can’t wait to go back and have it again! We then had the angry chicken which was perhaps the juiciest chicken I’ve ever had and the pork shoulder was so flavorful and tender. We will certainly be back!!